Choose the decision

Answer each scenario using the FIVB Official Volleyball Rules 2025–2028. Choose one answer, then check the explanation. Assume no additional faults beyond those described.

This exercise uses the published indoor rules without event-specific trials or amendments. For school or youth play, check the competition’s adopted rules before applying these answers.

For revision, explore rotation and overlap and team contacts.

Sources

Make the call

Choose a ruling for each situation, then check your answers.

1. Blue receives service and wins the rally. Which rotation should Blue make before serving?
Answer and explanation

One position clockwise

Winning service triggers clockwise rotation; staying put misses that required change.

Rule basis: FIVB · Official Volleyball Rules 2025–2028 · Indoor six-a-side volleyball using this published edition without competition-specific amendments. Excludes experimental rules, beach volleyball, NCAA, NFHS and modified youth competitions.

2. Red legally blocks an attack back into its own court. How many team hits remain?
Answer and explanation

Three

The block does not consume a team hit; counting it would incorrectly leave two.

Rule basis: FIVB · Official Volleyball Rules 2025–2028 · Indoor six-a-side volleyball using this published edition without competition-specific amendments. Excludes experimental rules, beach volleyball, NCAA, NFHS and modified youth competitions.

3. A defender catches a difficult ball, then throws it to the setter. What is the decision?
Answer and explanation

Catch fault

The ball must rebound; difficulty does not excuse catching and throwing.

Rule basis: FIVB · Official Volleyball Rules 2025–2028 · Indoor six-a-side volleyball using this published edition without competition-specific amendments. Excludes experimental rules, beach volleyball, NCAA, NFHS and modified youth competitions.

4. Without a block, four different teammates each hit the ball once before it crosses the net. Decision?
Answer and explanation

Four-hits fault

Three team hits are allowed. Changing players does not reset the count.

Rule basis: FIVB · Official Volleyball Rules 2025–2028 · Indoor six-a-side volleyball using this published edition without competition-specific amendments. Excludes experimental rules, beach volleyball, NCAA, NFHS and modified youth competitions.

5. At service contact, two serving teammates stand outside their rotational order but inside their court. Everything else is legal. Decision?
Answer and explanation

Play continues

Serving-team positioning is unrestricted; receiving-team overlap requirements do not apply.

Rule basis: FIVB · Official Volleyball Rules 2025–2028 · Indoor six-a-side volleyball using this published edition without competition-specific amendments. Excludes experimental rules, beach volleyball, NCAA, NFHS and modified youth competitions.

6. The server touches the end line when hitting service; receivers simultaneously overlap illegally. Which fault takes precedence?
Answer and explanation

Serving foot fault

A service-execution fault takes precedence; the overlap does not cancel it.

Rule basis: FIVB · Official Volleyball Rules 2025–2028 · Indoor six-a-side volleyball using this published edition without competition-specific amendments. Excludes experimental rules, beach volleyball, NCAA, NFHS and modified youth competitions.

7. Two teammates simultaneously make the first contact, without blocking. How many hits remain?
Answer and explanation

One

Both contacts count; simultaneity does not merge teammates' hits.

Rule basis: FIVB · Official Volleyball Rules 2025–2028 · Indoor six-a-side volleyball using this published edition without competition-specific amendments. Excludes experimental rules, beach volleyball, NCAA, NFHS and modified youth competitions.

8. An attack drives the net into a stationary opponent. There is no other interference. Decision?
Answer and explanation

Play continues

Ball-driven net contact is exempt; contact alone does not establish a fault.

Rule basis: FIVB · Official Volleyball Rules 2025–2028 · Indoor six-a-side volleyball using this published edition without competition-specific amendments. Excludes experimental rules, beach volleyball, NCAA, NFHS and modified youth competitions.

Rule editions and sources